Leafing through Jekka McVicar's indispensable Complete Herb Book, I came across her notes on ginger - the very last plant in the book on account of its Latin name Zingiber officinale - particularly the notes on cultivation. I've heard good reports from others on growing ginger in the UK - indoors, yes, and as much for the beauty of the plant as the cultivation of the edible rhizome - and this unearthed a long-forgotten ambition to grow my own ginger.
The first challenge is that you need to find a fresh ginger root that might easily sprout, that is, one that already has a yellow (or even better, green) bud developing, rhino horn-like, from the main root. Often the roots on sale in the shops have been treated at source to prevent sprouting so that they can be stored for longer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rVzM6W-p5ZI6QxsEBKlModVWatIoaD5FnUylhXQjAjfjjzk9Xx-tr8R30x7EE-b14lfKUxCVwJMsROix49OTnTAN1kzXE90imcnGH313C34Oajtw0IsQyMU5ymg6h2_fhvL0GFbr03TH/s320/Ginger+bud.jpg)
The best way to start them off here in the UK seems to be agreed upon by both Jekka and Kew Gardens - that's a good enough consensus for me.
- Fill a 20cm pot with a loam-based compost;
- Water well and let it drain;
- Cut the ginger root 5cm below the bud;
- Insert in the compost with the bud facing up;
- Barely cover with more compost;
- Cover the pot with a bell cloche or clear plastic bag;
- Place somewhere warm and light. The shoot needs temperatures above 20 degrees C to develop, so a heated propagator, conservatory or warm windowsill are your best options.
- Wait around 3-4 weeks to see shoots emerging.
Hello Zia,
ReplyDeleteI've only just discovered your blog through Ms Marmite and I am so excited with this discovery as our blogs share the same premise: growing and then cooking. I am looking forward to reading and learning more. Warm wishes
Oh I forgot to add, I will be watching your ginger grow closely. I know there was a community project in B'ham where women from Bangladeshi background grew them successfully in greenhouses, but i've never grow it - may give it a go.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shaheeen. You have some lovely photos on your site. Look forward to hearing more about your move.
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